TOPEKA - The Kansas State Board of Agriculture met this week, marking the first meeting following Governor Sam Brownback's appointment of five new members last month. Under the new administration, the Board will play a key role in agriculture promotion and policy in Kansas.

The Board's primary role is to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Agriculture on issues facing Kansas agriculture. The Board will serve as a leading voice for Kansas agriculture, promoting Kansas agriculture, encouraging growth in the industry and serving as liaisons to the Kansas agricultural industry.

The Board will also review and make recommendations on department legislative initiatives and proposed rules and regulations.

"The State Board of Agriculture leads the state in promoting and growing the role of Kansas agriculture in our state economy," Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman said. "The board also serves as a local tie to the Department. I encourage communities across Kansas to stay engaged with their board representatives to learn about what the Department of Agriculture is doing."

"I've had the honor of serving as the Secretary of the Kansas Board of Agriculture so I know first-hand what an important role the board plays as a liaison between the industry and policy leaders," Governor Brownback said. "I appreciate the willingness of these Kansans to give their time, energy, and talent for the betterment of Kansas agriculture."

Recent appointments to the board by Governor Brownback include:

Tracy Brunner, Ramona/District 1, oversees his family-owned beef production business, Cow Camp Beef, and owns a bonded livestock dealer and service business.

Thad Geiger, Troy/District 2, is Executive Vice-President/Director of Troy State Bank and maintains a farming operation consisting of 125 head registered and commercial Simmental cows and several hundred acres of corn, soybeans and hay.

Steve Irsik, Ingalls/District 1, is General Partner of Irsik Equities, LP, a family-owned agricultural business with headquarters near Garden City.

Jerry McReynolds, Woodston/District 1, is a farmer and stockman in Rooks County.

Michael Springer, Sycamore/District 4, is Managing Partner of his family-owned farm, Springer Family Foods, LLC and General Partner of Sycamore Valley Fertilizer and Equipment Co.

Four returning members make up the remainder of the nine-member board. Returning members include:

Jay Garetson, Copeland/District 1, is owner and general manager of Providence Transport. Additionally, he is a founding member of Northwest Cotton Growers Coop Gin, which started the first cotton gin in southwest Kansas.

Kenneth R. Palmgren, Edson/District 1, is owner and operator of V&K Farms and was a member of the Kansas Wheat Commission from 1997 to 2002.

Ann Peuser, Baldwin/District 2, owns Clinton Parkway Nursery.

Roland Rhodes, Gardner/District 3, is president of Rhodes Chemical Co. Inc.

The Kansas State Board of Agriculture, which will meet quarterly, is composed of nine members appointed by the governor. One member is appointed from each congressional district and the remaining members are appointed at large. No two members can reside in the same county at the time of their appointment, and no more than five can be members of the same political party. The regular term of office is four years. Newly appointed members will serve until January 8, 2015. Returning members' terms expire on January 10, 2013